You haven’t really been to Kolkata if you haven’t relished the best street food in Kolkata. The cultural capital of India, Kolkata boasts of super-delicious food– be it phuchkas or Channar Jilipi, the lip-smacking flavors will delight your taste buds in the city of joy.

Taste these 10 dishes from the wide range of Kolkata street food, and you would have checked-off all major highlights of local cuisine.

1. Phuchka – Savour the burst of spices

Stuffed with mashed potatoes, sprinkled with spices, and then filled with tamarind chutney, pickled water, pudina, and lime – puchkas are definitely the best of Kolkata street food. They belong to the golgappa family, but the typical flavor of Kolkata is what makes them different from gol gappa or pani puri.

2. Churmur – A crunchy blend

Much like Phuchka, this street food of Kolkata is a mix of crushed puchka, mixed with mashed potatoes, onions, spices, and of course tetul gola – pulp of tamarind. Though it tastes similar to Phuchka, Churmur is easier to eat. Your Kolkata street food tour is incomplete if you don’t try Churmur.

Best places to try: Maharaja Chaat Centre at Southern Avenue and Bhawanipore

3. Ghugni Chaat – Tangy chickpeas like you’ve never had before

If you’ve ever tasted Mumbai’s Ragda, you somewhat know what we’re talking about. Ghugni is made mainly of boiled yellow and white peas – mixed with onions, coriander, chillis, tomatoes, spices, and topped with tamarind pulp. This is a popular street food in Kolkata, and deserves all the popularity!

4. Jhalmuri – Your go-to snack

An easy and quick munchy, Jhalmuri is an appetizing street food that can be found in every nook of the city. The snack is a tossed-up mix of puffed rice, namkeen, peanuts, coriander, onions, tomatoes, spices, chillies, and more.

No oil and no cooking makes it the quickest and the best street food in Kolkata. The final outcome is then served in a conical newspaper wrap. Pair it up with hot tea, or simply munch on while on the move.

Best places to try: Jawaharlal Nehru Road and Triangular Park

5. Keemar Doi Bora – Dahi Bada, Kolkata style

Keemar Doi Bora is meat Dahi Bada dropped in sweet dahi sprinkled with panch phoron, that is – cinnamon, a pinch of red chilli powder, cumin, black mustard seeds and fenugreek. For north Indians, this is a unique dish to try – definitely one of the best street food of Kolkata.

Best place to try: Burrabazar

6. Kathi Rolls – With love, from Kolkata

All the lovers of rolls, UNITE! Because Kolkata’s Kathi Rolls are not basic at all. Egg, mutton, chicken, paneer – you name it and they have it. A flaky flour paratha is rolled up with your chosen stuffing laced with irresistible sauces, spices, and veggies.

Just one of this Kolkata street food is enough to fill your tummy and satisfy your tastebuds.

Best places to try: Anamika Roll Center near Triangular Park, Hot Kathi Roll at Park Street, Nizam Rolls in New Market, Kalika Mukhorochak at College Street, Kusum’s at Park Street

7. Shingara/ Samosa – Your evening tea companion

Samosa, as we know it in other regions of India and in the world, Shingara is your triangular fried snack with potato stuffing that you crave to eat with hot masala chai in the evening. Shingara, the best street food in Kolkata, is not limited to aloo stuffing; you can get mutton, chicken and lamb as well.

Best places to try: Tiwari Brothers at Burrabazar

8. Chhanar Jilipi – Not a regular jalebi

For those with a sweet tooth, relishing this street food in Kolkata is sheer delight; it is juicy, soft, and chewy. Chanar Jilipi is a Kolkatan jalebi made of cottage cheese. It is thicker than a normal jalebi and the texture is similar to Gulab Jamun. That’s basically goodness of two sweets in one.

9. Aloo Kabli – A quick potato snack

One of the best forms of potato, Aloo Kabli is a spicy and hot dish you mustn’t miss when you crave for something flavorsome in Kolkata. Boiled potatoes are tossed with tamarind pulp, onions, tomatoes, chilies, chickpeas, and a magical combination of masalas.

Best places to try: Kalika Mukhorochak at Surya Sen Street

10. Telebhaja – Fried delight to go with any occassion

Telebhaja is your favorite companion on a rainy day. The crispy snack is prepared by frying besan or cornflour batter covering various items like onion rings, potato, pumpkin, and eggplant. In fact, that’s not all for this Kolkata street food! There’s even Telebhaja made of raw mangoes, coriander leaves, and Bombay duck. Hungry much?

Best place to try: Kalika Mukhorochak at College Street

Best street food areas in Kolkata

All nooks of Kolkata are dotted with vendors who know magic! But if you ask where to get the best street food in Kolkata, we’d surely drag Burrabazar, Park Street, and College Street in the conversation!

We know you’re drooling already! So, plan a trip to this vibrant eastern state and grab a bite of the best street food in Kolkata.